By Deborah Wheeler
When Friday afternoon rolls around at the beach, locals are wrapping up a week at work and visitors are arriving. It?s a great time for all to kick back and relax in paradise with a glass of vino. Three area resorts on County Road 30A have new establishments that are offering wine tastings each Friday, along with a little music to help wind down and kick off the weekend as you come together with friends.
WILD OLIVES
Open for three weeks now, Wild Olives Market/deli/bakery in Rosemary Beach held its first wine tasting this past Friday on its verandah, as local guitarist Alice Bargeron entertained. Business has been good during its first three weeks, said owner Ivy Trovas. The Trovases owned restaurants in Pensacola before coming to Rosemary to open the Italian-style market on the corner in the north town square. Wild Olives offers casual and gourmet foods to enjoy on site or to go. Domestic and imported meats and cheeses, an olive bar, salads, dairy products, breads and pastries, as well as gourmet retail products are stocked. Full service is provided during lunch time hours with sandwiches, pizzas, salads and a daily hot meal. A tapas menu is available for an afternoon or early evening snack. Friday wine tastings are from 4 - 6 p.m., at a cost of $10, with $5 of that applied toward any bottle purchased during the tasting. Hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily, with extended hours during special events.
FONVILLE PRESS
Down the road a bit at Alys Beach, the town?s coffee shop has already become a popular gathering spot. The coffee shop offers bagels, muffins and pastries to complement a morning?s coffee or an afternoon?s wine, with bookshelves full of adventuresome reading. Each Friday at 5 p.m., the coffee shop?s center table is spread full with munchies and a selected wine is brought tableside for tasting. The mix of locals and out-of-towners might reach 60 folks who spill out onto the breezy, open-air covered patio that offers a fabulous view of the setting sun. Fonville?s wine tasting is free and accompanying musical entertainment will be offered beginning this week. It is open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. six days a week and until 9 p.m. on Fridays.
CERULEAN
Newly opened Memorial Day weekend at WaterColor is Cerulean coffee and wine bar. Cerulean?s set up was inspired by Fonville Press, also offering books, coffee, wine and newspapers in its 2,000 square feet. In addition, there is a checkers table and the goldfish Merlot and Goldie seem to smile at onlookers from inside their glass world. The shop also offers a small selection of souvenirs. However, manager Ann Hunter said that at Cerulean, its stage is the focal point. ?It?s what it?s all about,? said Hunter. ?Life is a stage.? Hunter offers a sign-up sheet for anyone wanting to perform any type of talent on the shop?s small stage, and the sheet is fast becoming filled. Hunter has a book hound to find books to fill the shelves and a full-time barista. ?The idea is that this is a place for all people and ages from all walks of life ? a blend. The blending is the challenge and I see my role as a producer,? she said. The emphasis on the blend is seen in the menu, which is written in English, Italian, French and German. ?It?s a hangout more than a store,? said Hunter. ?It?s a hangout for a community that?s seeking a community hangout.? The shop?s doors are left open so the coffee aroma can fill the air and the sound of music invites the community in. The cost of Cerulean?s wine tasting is $20 for four flights.
When Friday afternoon rolls around at the beach, locals are wrapping up a week at work and visitors are arriving. It?s a great time for all to kick back and relax in paradise with a glass of vino. Three area resorts on County Road 30A have new establishments that are offering wine tastings each Friday, along with a little music to help wind down and kick off the weekend as you come together with friends.
WILD OLIVES
Open for three weeks now, Wild Olives Market/deli/bakery in Rosemary Beach held its first wine tasting this past Friday on its verandah, as local guitarist Alice Bargeron entertained. Business has been good during its first three weeks, said owner Ivy Trovas. The Trovases owned restaurants in Pensacola before coming to Rosemary to open the Italian-style market on the corner in the north town square. Wild Olives offers casual and gourmet foods to enjoy on site or to go. Domestic and imported meats and cheeses, an olive bar, salads, dairy products, breads and pastries, as well as gourmet retail products are stocked. Full service is provided during lunch time hours with sandwiches, pizzas, salads and a daily hot meal. A tapas menu is available for an afternoon or early evening snack. Friday wine tastings are from 4 - 6 p.m., at a cost of $10, with $5 of that applied toward any bottle purchased during the tasting. Hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily, with extended hours during special events.
FONVILLE PRESS
Down the road a bit at Alys Beach, the town?s coffee shop has already become a popular gathering spot. The coffee shop offers bagels, muffins and pastries to complement a morning?s coffee or an afternoon?s wine, with bookshelves full of adventuresome reading. Each Friday at 5 p.m., the coffee shop?s center table is spread full with munchies and a selected wine is brought tableside for tasting. The mix of locals and out-of-towners might reach 60 folks who spill out onto the breezy, open-air covered patio that offers a fabulous view of the setting sun. Fonville?s wine tasting is free and accompanying musical entertainment will be offered beginning this week. It is open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. six days a week and until 9 p.m. on Fridays.
CERULEAN
Newly opened Memorial Day weekend at WaterColor is Cerulean coffee and wine bar. Cerulean?s set up was inspired by Fonville Press, also offering books, coffee, wine and newspapers in its 2,000 square feet. In addition, there is a checkers table and the goldfish Merlot and Goldie seem to smile at onlookers from inside their glass world. The shop also offers a small selection of souvenirs. However, manager Ann Hunter said that at Cerulean, its stage is the focal point. ?It?s what it?s all about,? said Hunter. ?Life is a stage.? Hunter offers a sign-up sheet for anyone wanting to perform any type of talent on the shop?s small stage, and the sheet is fast becoming filled. Hunter has a book hound to find books to fill the shelves and a full-time barista. ?The idea is that this is a place for all people and ages from all walks of life ? a blend. The blending is the challenge and I see my role as a producer,? she said. The emphasis on the blend is seen in the menu, which is written in English, Italian, French and German. ?It?s a hangout more than a store,? said Hunter. ?It?s a hangout for a community that?s seeking a community hangout.? The shop?s doors are left open so the coffee aroma can fill the air and the sound of music invites the community in. The cost of Cerulean?s wine tasting is $20 for four flights.
- nevermind, just do some stand up about 'kitty porn'! - dare ya!
